Uber Goes Green with New Features for Riders and Drivers

Uber is now making the roads greener, one awkward small talk at a time. The rideshare company unveiled new eco-friendly initiatives for a more sustainable experience that’s better for our environment. 

Last Thursday, Uber introduced new eco-friendly features at the GO-GET Zero event in London, benefitting riders, drivers, and the environment by adding greener alternatives to the in-app experience.

What are the new features?

Airport discounts and priority pickups by opting for EV and hybrid rides

“Green Curb” will be at select airports, offering discounts and preferred pickup zones for choosing eco-friendly rides. Launch locations include London Heathrow Airport (LHR), Madrid Barajas International Airport (MAD), Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX), and Portland International Airport (PDX), with more airports to be added later. Discounts range from a 10% reduction on the base fare at LHR to a 40% discount on pickup and drop-off fees at PHX for Comfort Electric rides.

Peer-to-peer car sharing

Peer-to-peer car sharing is launching in North America and Europe, enabling users to reserve, unlock, and drive nearby cars through the app, much like Turo. The service will initially be available in Boston and Toronto. Uber Rent will still be offered, allowing users to conveniently compare and book rental cars from trusted companies like Hertz and Avis directly within the app.

Eco-friendly navigation and Uber-Eats deliveries

More efficient and eco-friendly rides are now possible with improved navigation algorithms, which consider distance, elevation, and stops. Additionally, Uber Eats introduces a feature to help users find restaurants with sustainable packaging in cities like New York, London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Taipei. The goal is to eliminate all plastic waste from deliveries by 2030.

Check out Uber’s other “going-green” updates here.